Radiator-cap attachment



Get. 16, 1923. 1,471,07

J. H. SMITH RADIATOR CAP ATTACHMENT Filed Sept. 11, 1920 Kid Patented@et. 1%, i923.

entra n stares JOSEPH HIGGINS SMITH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MDIATOR CAP ATTACHMENT.

Application filed September 11, 1920. aerial No. 409,635.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH HIcoINa SMITH, a citizenof the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Radiator-Cap Attachments, ofwhich the following is a specification. 1

This invention relates particularly to a device for anchoring aradiator-cap to the radiator of a motor vehicle in such man nor as topermit the cap to be readily removed, the device serving to prevent thecap from being lost or stolen. A further object of the invention is toanchor a radiator-cap and an attachment carried thereby, such as amotometer, or other useful or ornamental device, in such manner as toprevent theft. 7

The invention is illustrated, in its preferred embodiment, in theaccompanying drawing, in, which- Fig. 1 represents a broken sectionalview of a motor-vehicle radiator havin the improved device appliedthereto; F 1g. 2, an elevational view of the collapsible anchoremployed, showing the same in perma nently extended condition; Fig. 3, asection taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a similarsection, showing the anchor in collapsed condition; Fig. 5, a brokenelevational view showing a modification of the anchor; Fig. 6, a brokensectional view taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7, anelevational view of another modification of the anchor; Fig. 8, an edgeview of the same; Fig. 9, an elevational view of another modification;and Fig. '10, an edge view of the same.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, A represents a motor-vehicleradiator equipped with a nipple A and a cap A B, an ornament applied tothe radiator-cap, this ornament being in the form of atemperatureindicating device known to the trade as a motometer; and d,an anchor located in the chamber 1 at the upper portion of the radiatorand securely joined by a flexible connection to the radiator-cap and theornamental device mounted thereon.

The anchor C ismade collapsible, or capable of being folded, so that itcan be introduced through the nipple or neck of .the

radiator, and is provided with means for permanently maintaining theanchor in extended condition after it has been inserted.

The device C comprisesa pair of L-shaped members 2 and 3, havingrelatively short anchoring arms 2 and 3, respectively, and having longershank-arms 2" and 3", respectively. These members are connected at theirelbows by means of a circular link or ring 4; which extends throughperforations 4*. The connection is such as to enable the members 2 and 3to be turned so that the grappling arms will be brought intocoincidence, as illustrated in Fig. 4; or the members may be so turnedthat the appling arms will point in opposite irections, as indicated inFig. 2. The upper portion of the shank '3 is connected with the shank 2.near its upper end by means of a screw or rivet, 5. Preferably, a screwis employed and the threaded end of the screw is upset or rivette'dafter the connection is made. This may be efiected by means of a pair ofpliers.

The upper end of the shank 2 is shown equipped with a small clevis 6which is rivetted to the shank. This'clevis is connected, by a flexibleconnection, such as the chain 7 to a link or connection 8, which issecured to one arm, of an angle member, 9, Whose other arm is providedwith a perforation 9 which receives the threaded shank 10 of the deviceB. The shank of the device B passes through a central perforation in thecap A in the usual manner and is equipped interiorly with a lock-nut 11.The thread of the shank 10 maybe upset or rivetted, as indicated at'l2,to prevent detachment. 1

The radiator-cap A is shown provided with threaded engagement with thenipple A in the customary manner. In the use of the anchoring device,the members 2 and 3 are turned so as to-be in the relation shown in Fig.do The grappling arms 2 and 3* are sutliciently short, when the partsare in this position, to enable them to be inserted through the nipple,after which the members are turned to the position shown in Fig. 2, andthe upper ends of the shanks are permanently secured together by theconnection 5. The chain is of sufficient length to enable the cap A tobe freely removed from the nipple, and the cap may then be allowed todangle over the front of -the radiator while the radiator is beingfilled with water. By the employment of this device, there is. no dangerof the cap being forgotten or lost, or of the cap and its ornament beingstolen.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the anchor isdesignated 0'. The construction is similar to the construction alreadydescribed, except that, instead of the members 2 and 3, there areemployed similar members 13 and 14, the member 14 being equipped nearits elbow with an integral projection 15 which is passed through aperforation-15 with which the member 13 is equipped near its elbow. Theprojection 15 is formed with an eye, which serves the function of thecurved link 4' in the firstdescribed construction.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the device comprises avertical shank or bar 16 having pivotally connected with its lowercorners, by means of rivets 16*, the grappling arms 16"; and avertically slidable bar 17 mounted on the bar 16 and adapted to lock thegrappling arms 16 in the extended position shown by the full lines inFig. 7. After the anchor has been inserted and the grappling armsextended, the bars 16 and 17 are permanently secured together by meansof a screw or rivet 18, thus locking the grappling arms in the extendedposition. It will be noted that the grappling arms are provided withshoulders 16 which abut against each other when the arms are in theextended position shown in Fig. 7, so that the grappling arms can-- notswing below the full-line position shown in Fig. 7. By raising theslidable bar 17 on the-bar 16, the grappling arms l6 'may be collapsed,as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 7. The arms are thus collapsedduring insertion, after which the rivet 18 is employed to permanentlyconnect the bars in the full-line position shown in Fig. 7.

In the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10, 19 represents oneangle-form bar, and 20 represents another angle-form bar. One of thesemembers is equipped near its elbow with a pivot 21 which is movable in aslot 21* with which the other member is provided. The upper ends of theshank-arms are adapted to be connected by a rivet, or upset screw, 22.Before this connection is effected, the members 19 and 20 may be swungin opposite directions about the pivot 21, as indicated by the smallarrows in Fig. 9, thus sutliciently collapsing the device to enable itto be inserted through the nipple of the radiator. If necessary to theinsertion,

the pivot 21 may slide in the slot 21. After the insertion, the membersare permanently connected by the connection 22.

As is well known, there are in use in the United States millions ofautomobiles having removable radiator-caps with no provision to preventloss or theft; and very many users have the caps of the radiatorsequipped with motometers or with otherornamental devices. Motometers areexpensive, and,.in many instances, where motometers are not employed,the radiator-caps are equipped with very expensive ornamentalattachments. The improved device provides reasonable protection againsttheft, in such cases.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is p 1.The combination with a motor-vehicle radiator provided with a nipple andcap, of an anchor comprising a pair of angle bars, connecting meansbetween the elbow portions of said bars enabling the barsto be turnedfor collapsing the device, means for securing the upper portions of saidbars together when the grappling arms are in extended position, and aflexible connection securing the upper portion of the anchor to theradiator-cap.

2. A device of the character set forth, comprising a collapsible anchoradapted to be inserted through the nipple of a radiator opening, meansfor securing the anchor in permanently extended condition afterinsertion, a chain connected with the shank of the anchor, and aconnection secured to said chain and adapted to be secured to'anattachmentshank which extends through the radiator-cap.

3. A device of the character set forth, comprising a pair of angle-formbars having grappling-arms and shank-arms, a link connecting the elbowportions of said bars, means for permanently connecting the upper endportions of the shank-arms together. and a flexible connection securedto one of the shank-arms and equipped with means for attachment to aradiator-cap.

JOSEPH HIGGINS SMITH.

